Beat Carnival: The Open Fund for Organisations
THE BEAT – rhythm roots branching out
Beat Carnival creates carnival parades and outdoor arts events with artists and communities. Beat Carnival Centre is a unique art creation space in Belfast, connected internationally. It provides weekly arts participation programmes for all ages and abilities. Artists are trained and employed to create multi-arts product, performances, festivals and parades. Beat Carnival works to create a vibrant, colourful and welcoming society where diversity and creativity are promoted. In this Beat Carnival project, artist-musician Katie Richardson will research, develop and produce a large-scale, soundscape score, THE BEAT. Rhythmic drive and diversity from Beat’s carnival roots will be newly expressed in electronic soundscape and song. The soundscape will be realised by Beat Carnival’s percussionists, BEATnDRUM, electronica musicians, singers and other instrumental collaborators.
The new music will premiere in a 30-minute performance with 75 musicians plus visuals and dance at a BEAT 30th Anniversary outdoor spectacle in September 2023. The project moves Beat Carnival’s artform forwards, facilitates a significant progress-step for the commissioned artist and creates a legacy of artistic & collaborative excellence for supported professional and up-coming musicians in the performance’s orbit.
Katie is a musician, composer, songwriter, producer making music under the name Hex Hue. She has been a significant Beat Carnival artist, contributor, creator, performer since 2001 and has a strong understanding of Beat’s artistic work and values. She has developed skills, profile and connections as a composer throughout her career. With an excellent range of music skills, experience and networks, Katie excels as a practitioner and a music leader.